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Roof Racks = Deck?
Jake - April 16th, 2003 at 05:32 PM

Just a quick question. I just had an idea and I'm wondering if what is shown on the picture below possible? Could you simply re-inforce the roof and possible walls so you can set a deck up on the top of the kombi? Any ideas on cost of it if possible also would be appreciated (just a rough estimate). Thanks!
- Jake


KruizinKombi - April 16th, 2003 at 06:50 PM

My 75 kombi has a full-length roofrack to which I have welded 100mm square mesh. To achieve the deck you have described, I just have to carry a piece of marine ply on my roofrack. :thumb

Oh yeah, and a ladder might be nice, but the spare wheel and bullbar do an adequate job. :)


Jake - April 16th, 2003 at 07:16 PM

So you didnt re-inforce anything? I'm planning on having like 4 people being able to sit on top so I'm pretty sure that the roof won't be able to handle that weight how it is now.

Bullbar is simple enough but you gotta admit, the ladder does look good.


KruizinKombi - April 16th, 2003 at 07:25 PM

No, my roofrack has 8 posts and is made from 20mm RHS tube with 11 horizontals and the front and back tubes are braced with 25x3mm flat bar, so I think it's strong enough.

I like the ladders on splitties, but I don't think I'd have one personally. I'd consider a removable step halfway up the windscreen though, it would be easy to store under a seat. :thumb


david - April 16th, 2003 at 07:49 PM

my troopy has got a roof rack that has a full piece welded to the bottom of the three posts that sits in the gutter ,so to distribute the weight i drove around oz in that, slept on the roof had heaps of people sitting on it will take a picture if you want to explain what i mean
david:o:o


Jake - April 16th, 2003 at 08:17 PM

actually yeah, if you wouldn't mind taking a picture.

Come into the chat if your still online when you read this, I've been talking to KruizinKombi about roof racks in there.


Andy - April 16th, 2003 at 11:43 PM

Have a look at
http://www.aussieveedubbers.com/forum/viewthread.php?tid=4445 
and scroll down.
I used an ex-telstra ladder rack. Three heavy cross bars, the sides are aluminium angles and 15mm ply in between. I can happily walk on it. I aligned the three cross members with the main supports up to the roof from the floor in the body work, just behind the front doors, behind the sliding door and just in front of the rear vents.
I believe the roof carrying capacity is similar to the L300 van the rack came off at 100kg. With ~60kg in the roof rack that doesn't leave much. This is for a dynamic condition and for driving stability, and it will easliy hold more when you are parked. It also keeps the sun off the roof.
As for getting up there, I never considered a ladder as I have no trouble stepping up from the front guard (open the front door).
Andy
:thumb


Phil74Camper - April 17th, 2003 at 12:52 PM

It probably doesn't help the argument much, but the maximum rating for a factory Campmobile roof rack was 20kg. It's the little one that just fits over the front section, in front of the pop roof. It was only designed for carrying light, waterproof materials that couldn't fit inside - tent rolls, folded tarps, that sort of thing.


KruizinKombi - April 17th, 2003 at 05:27 PM

Yeah, not jerry cans, spare tyres and other assorted crap like is often seen on them!!!:o